Crown of Human Achievement

Spirituality is an exact science. God is a verifiable reality. Samadhi is a
living experience.

Numerous have been the saints and sages, in every land and clime, who have
proclaimed the unmistakable actuality of transcendental spiritual experience.
The combined pleasure of all worldly enjoyments is nothing compared to the
superlative all-full bliss experienced in Samadhi. That is why the Rishis of
yore have defined God as that attaining which nothing else remains to be
attained, nothing else remains to be desired. God-realisation is the crown of
human achievement.

God-realisation, let me repeat, is the crown of all human attainments. We are
born to realise God. Human birth has no greater significance. Human birth is not
granted to us that we may consider reaching into space or diving into the ocean
depths as the zenith of our endeavours. These are of mundane value and much
lesser than mastering one’s mind and unfolding one’s spiritual potentialities.

Detonating nuclear bombs and shooting rockets into space may excite the mind,
but they cannot satisfy the spiritual hunger of the people. They cannot bring
peace of mind to the human race.

In the recent past, science and technology have made tremendous strides for
the good as well as for the potential evil of man. They reflect a great spirit
of adventure and extraordinary human ingenuity in inventing marvellous devices.
The energy is there, the inventive genius is there, the spirit of discovery is
there, but, alas, it is all diverted into exclusively material spheres, without
taking into consideration the spiritual growth of man.

Science has progressed, no doubt, but, at what cost? Science has contributed
to the welfare of humanity but its misuse has tragically left in its wake
devastation and desolation, fear and moral degradation. Science has taken
strides forward and spiritual values of life have deteriorated. Civilisation is
said to have progressed, but its signs of progress are marred by the increasing
number of mental hospitals, divorce courts, juvenile courts, psychiatric clinics
and penitentiaries.

Stem the tide and change the course. Let there be a balanced progress of
science and moral values. Live a balanced life. Manifest the basic virtues in
daily life. Take to Yoga. You will reap a rich harvest. You will gain vigour of
body, clarity of intellect, peace of mind and enrichment of soul.

Yoga is a way of life. It is life in the spirit. Yoga is not a dogma or a
creed or a religion. It is the science of life itself, of integral
self-development, of harmonious living. Root your life in strong ethical
foundations. Without an ethical base, spirituality cannot live. Draw inspiration
from the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ Control the mind and senses. Purify and expand
your heart. Serve the Lord in the suffering. Adapt, adjust, accommodate.

The West and the East are no longer strangers to one another. Humanity is
gradually waking up to its spiritual responsibility. A powerful force is at
work. A spiritual revolution is taking place on a global scale, bringing the
East and the West closer. Play your part nobly and well in this revolution of
unity, of universal love, of blending science and spirituality for the good of
man.

May God lead us all from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from
death to immortality.